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In my culture we teach by telling stories, so my brothers and sisters I have a story for you.

I sit in the shade of this tree in front of my house. Native People come to me and I say to the Native people, Tell me your Vision.

And Native People answer, the Elders have told us to pray in this manner, and that manner, and it is important that only we pray as we have been taught for this has been handed down to us by the Elders.

Hmmmmm, I said to them.

Then Black People came to me and I said to the Black People, Tell me your Vision.

And the Black People answered, our Mothers have said to go to this building and that building and pray in this manner and that manner. Our Fathers have said to bow in this manner and that manner when we pray. It is important that we do only this when we pray.

Hmmmmm, I said to them.

Then Yellow People came to me and I said to Yellow People, Tell me your Vision.

And Yellow People answered, our Teacher have told us to sit in this manner and that manner and to say this thing and that thing when we pray, and it is important that we do only this when we pray.

Hmmmmm, I said to them.

Then White People came to me and I said to White People, Tell me your Vision.

And White People answered, Our Book has told us to pray in this way and that way and to do this thing and that thing, and it is very important that we do this when we pray.

Hmmmmm, I said to them.

Then I spoke to the Earth and said, have you given the people a Vision? And the Earth said, Yes, a special gift for each one, but the people were so busy speaking and arguing about which way is right that they could not see the gift I gave each one of them. And I asked the same question of Water and Fire and Air and got the same answer. Then I asked Animal and Bird and Insect and Tree and Flower and Sky and Moon and Sun and Stars and all of the Spirits and each told me the same.

I thought this was very sad. I called Native People, Black People, Yellow People, and White People to me and I said to them. The ways taught to you by your Elders, and your Mothers and Fathers and Teachers and Books are sacred. It is good that you respect those ways, for they are the ways of your Ancestors. But the Ancestors no longer walk on the face of the Earth Mother. You have forgotten your own Vision. Your Vision is right for you but no one else. Now each of you must pray for your own Visions, and be still enough to see them, so you can follow the way of the heart. It is a hard way. It is a good way. OSAY

In my culture we teach by telling stories, so my brothers and sisters I have a story for you.

I sit in the shade of this tree in front of my house. Native People come to me and I say to the Native people, Tell me your Vision.

And Native People answer, the Elders have told us to pray in this manner, and that manner, and it is important that only we pray as we have been taught for this has been handed down to us by the Elders.

Hmmmmm, I said to them.

Then Black People came to me and I said to the Black People, Tell me your Vision.

And the Black People answered, our Mothers have said to go to this building and that building and pray in this manner and that manner. Our Fathers have said to bow in this manner and that manner when we pray. It is important that we do only this when we pray.

Hmmmmm, I said to them.

Then Yellow People came to me and I said to Yellow People, Tell me your Vision.

And Yellow People answered, our Teacher have told us to sit in this manner and that manner and to say this thing and that thing when we pray, and it is important that we do only this when we pray.

Hmmmmm, I said to them.

Then White People came to me and I said to White People, Tell me your Vision.

And White People answered, Our Book has told us to pray in this way and that way and to do this thing and that thing, and it is very important that we do this when we pray.

Hmmmmm, I said to them.

Then I spoke to the Earth and said, have you given the people a Vision? And the Earth said, Yes, a special gift for each one, but the people were so busy speaking and arguing about which way is right that they could not see the gift I gave each one of them. And I asked the same question of Water and Fire and Air and got the same answer. Then I asked Animal and Bird and Insect and Tree and Flower and Sky and Moon and Sun and Stars and all of the Spirits and each told me the same.

I thought this was very sad. I called Native People, Black People, Yellow People, and White People to me and I said to them. The ways taught to you by your Elders, and your Mothers and Fathers and Teachers and Books are sacred. It is good that you respect those ways, for they are the ways of your Ancestors. But the Ancestors no longer walk on the face of the Earth Mother. You have forgotten your own Vision. Your Vision is right for you but no one else. Now each of you must pray for your own Visions, and be still enough to see them, so you can follow the way of the heart. It is a hard way. It is a good way. OSAY

this is beautiful!
we come and sit in this circle, but this circle is like a cone. the widest part is all of us, and as we sit and learn together, we will join and be closer and closer, all pointing toward one goal together. that goal is understanding and peace.

Then I spoke to the Earth and said, have you given the people a Vision? And the Earth said, Yes, a special gift for each one, but the people were so busy speaking and arguing about which way is right that they could not see the gift I gave each one of them. And I asked the same question of Water and Fire and Air and got the same answer. Then I asked Animal and Bird and Insect and Tree and Flower and Sky and Moon and Sun and Stars and all of the Spirits and each told me the same.

I thought this was very sad. I called Native People, Black People, Yellow People, and White People to me and I said to them. The ways taught to you by your Elders, and your Mothers and Fathers and Teachers and Books are sacred. It is good that you respect those ways, for they are the ways of your Ancestors. But the Ancestors no longer walk on the face of the Earth Mother. You have forgotten your own Vision. Your Vision is right for you but no one else. Now each of you must pray for your own Visions, and be still enough to see them, so you can follow the way of the heart. It is a hard way. It is a good way. OSAY

I like your story, Ptsum, and especially these last two paragraphs. Whether we choose to follow the spiritual path of our ancestors, or choose a different one, we need to remember that our trail is good for us, but those around us may need to follow another. I think it kind of comes back to the idea of treating others the way we would like to be treated.

There is a quote, attributed to Chief Joseph, (Nez Perce), that I've always liked. He actually was speaking specifically about Christianity, so I hope Christians don't take offense, but there is great wisdom, in these few words, that we should take to heart:

"We do not want churches because they will teach us to quarrel about God, as the Catholics and Protestants do. We do not want to learn that.

We may quarrel with men sometimes about things on this earth. But we never quarrel about God. We do not want to learn that."

I visit a wonderful Native American Site..I found these words of wisdom that remind me of of things taught in the books of the bible concerning being still and waiting on the lord..I would like to share them here in the sacred circle..

Go Forward With Courage
When you are in doubt, be still and wait:
When doubt no longer exists for you, then go forward with courage.
So long as mists envelop you, be still:
Be still until the sunlight pours through and dispels the mists...
..as it surely will.
Then act with courage... By: Ponca Chief White Eagle (18?? to 1914).

This speaks to me of patience in waiting for God/Spirit to show you the direction out of the mist of doubt and confusion that often surrounds our lives..When God speaks to our souls it gives us the courage to speak in peace and love..

Today is a good day, for we have all learned something and this is the way it should be, we can all come together within the sacred circle and share our thoughts and visions with one another in peace and understanding. We all have our own Visions and we must not forget this, we can honor our ancestors and respect their ways but we must also remember that we have our own visions, each and every one of us and we can respect those also and this is something we must teach the next generation for they have their own visions and should be encouraged to seek them, for one day, we shall become the ancestors.

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